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Ukraine blames Russia for cutting natural gas supplies to Europe
Source: Agencies |
January 6, 2009, Tuesday
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Ukraine's gas company Naftogaz said today that Russia's Gazprom cut natural gas supplies to Europe by about two-thirds, raising the stakes in a spiraling dispute between the two neighbors that bodes ill for European consumers.
Naftogaz spokesman Valentyn Zemlyansky said Gazprom sent only 92 million cubic meters of gas for European consumers today, down from 221 yesterday or about 300 during previous days.
"That is all they are sending, in several hours Europe will feel it," Zemlyansky told The Associated Press.
Gazprom officials could not be immediately reached for comment and the drop in supplies could not be immediately confirmed. Gazprom said late yesterday that it will cut the amount of gas it ships to Europe through Ukraine by 65.3 million cubic meters. Gazprom said it was cutting gas supplies by the amount it accuses Ukraine of having stolen when it ran through its pipelines.
Kiev denies the accusations saying Russia is to blame for the disruption because it is refusing to ship extra gas used to make the delivery.
The statement is bad news for European consumers.
Some European countries are already experiencing supply problems after Russia cut off supplies to its neighbor on Jan. 1 over pricing disagreements and outstanding debt. Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria say that supplies from pipelines through Ukraine remained down, in Romania's case by 30 percent.
The reductions come as a European Union commission was to meet with senior Ukrainian officials today to discuss the crisis.
Russia's reductions appear aimed at putting pressure on Ukraine, which has turned down several offers on prices and transit fees by Gazprom. Ukraine has enough gas reserves to last for weeks without Russian gas.
During a similar dispute between Ukraine and Russia in 2006, several West European countries saw their gas supplies drop by 30 percent or more. This time Gazprom's customers were better prepared, having built up substantial reserves.
While the previous gas cutoff was seen as punishment for Ukraine's pro-Western policies, this time Gazprom is insisting it is a commercial dispute. Both countries are seeking to prove they are a reliable energy partner for the EU.
Naftogaz spokesman Valentyn Zemlyansky said Gazprom sent only 92 million cubic meters of gas for European consumers today, down from 221 yesterday or about 300 during previous days.
"That is all they are sending, in several hours Europe will feel it," Zemlyansky told The Associated Press.
Gazprom officials could not be immediately reached for comment and the drop in supplies could not be immediately confirmed. Gazprom said late yesterday that it will cut the amount of gas it ships to Europe through Ukraine by 65.3 million cubic meters. Gazprom said it was cutting gas supplies by the amount it accuses Ukraine of having stolen when it ran through its pipelines.
Kiev denies the accusations saying Russia is to blame for the disruption because it is refusing to ship extra gas used to make the delivery.
The statement is bad news for European consumers.
Some European countries are already experiencing supply problems after Russia cut off supplies to its neighbor on Jan. 1 over pricing disagreements and outstanding debt. Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria say that supplies from pipelines through Ukraine remained down, in Romania's case by 30 percent.
The reductions come as a European Union commission was to meet with senior Ukrainian officials today to discuss the crisis.
Russia's reductions appear aimed at putting pressure on Ukraine, which has turned down several offers on prices and transit fees by Gazprom. Ukraine has enough gas reserves to last for weeks without Russian gas.
During a similar dispute between Ukraine and Russia in 2006, several West European countries saw their gas supplies drop by 30 percent or more. This time Gazprom's customers were better prepared, having built up substantial reserves.
While the previous gas cutoff was seen as punishment for Ukraine's pro-Western policies, this time Gazprom is insisting it is a commercial dispute. Both countries are seeking to prove they are a reliable energy partner for the EU.
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